Gear warning CB pops during gear actuation

[Thedude]

My 79 J just started popping it's gear warning circuit breaker every time the gear is actuated. This happens on pulling the gear up as well as extending it. The breaker will not stay in while the gear is moving, but once it's done, it stays in and the lights all work fine.

It's been fine for over 8 months until this last trip. Any ideas on where to look would be helpful.

[EricJ]

Sounds like something is binding or there's an issue with the motor.   I'd get it up on jacks and do some gear swings with the belly off and see what's up.

Edit:  Wait, never mind.   If it's the gear warning popping that's going to be something different.   First thing to check is to open up the ceiling panel where the Sonalerts are and make sure it's not contacting the metal roof.   That's an easy place for a short and an easy fix if that's what it is.

[GeeBee]

I've seen a bad gear over-ride switch pop the warning C/B

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

If you do not have the retaining clip over the gear pump handle, your CB will pop once you move the gear handle to the UP position.  Obviously, the gear will not go up, either.

[Red Leader]

Make sure your gear override lever is completely locked.

[PT20J]

The Gear Warning CB powers the gear down floor light, the Gear Down and Gear Unsafe annunciator lights and the gear warning sonalert (tone generator in later models). So, the symptoms indicate some issue in this circuitry. The only part of the circuit that is active when the gear is moving but not active when the gear is either up or down is the Gear Unsafe annunciator. I would look for a short circuit somewhere in this circuit.

[Thedude]

Sounds like I should take a look at the ceiling. Pretty sure I hit my head on the ceiling a couple of times and that's hard enough to knock something loose. Thanks for the ideas, I'll report back once I get the time to look around in there.

[Aerodon]

In the M20K, the gear warning CB also powers the gear unsafe horn through the throttle switch.  And there are diodes in the wires near the sonalart.  Diodes hurt my head.

I would look at what is not working and start there:

1) gear unsafe annunciator

2) gear down light

3) gear unsafe horn - via up limit switch

4) gear unsafe via throttle limit switch.

 

I would start with the gear unsafe light, it easiest to access.  You are looking for a short to ground.

 

Aerodon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[skykrawler]

11 hours ago, AH-1 Cobra Pilot said:

If you do not have the retaining clip over the gear pump handle, your CB will pop once you move the gear handle to the UP position.  Obviously, the gear will not go up, either.

Not the gear warning breaker.   The manual extension lock will cause the actuator breaker to pop.